Ita Buttrose explains her sudden departure from 'Studio 10' on-air

Today is Ita Buttrose's last day with Studio 10 as the 76-year-old media icon steps down from the show after four-and-a-half years.

The sudden news was announced yesterday, merely weeks after her co-host Jessica Rowe departed the morning talk show on March 30, citing the wish to spend more time with her family.

Explaining herself on-air, Buttrose discussed with the show's panellists why she is making such a rapid departure.

"It was such a shock. It was a shock to hear you’re leaving," said her co-host Sarah Harris during a segment on Studio 10.

"There comes a time in your life where you have to decide what else you want to do with your life," said Buttrose. "I've got five grandchildren... I want to spend a bit more time with them."

She added, "I've come to an agreement with a publisher to write a couple of books."

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Bantering back and forth with her co-hosts Sarah Harris and Joe Hildebrand, who sung the media legend's praises, Denise Drysdale remained noticeably quiet during the discussion, only speaking when Buttrose suggested that Hildebrand's stubble drew similarities to George Michael.

"He's dead," she said to which Buttrose replied, "He's dead? Thank you Denise."

The pair's minimal interaction did very little to squash their rumoured conflict that made headlines earlier this year surrounding an on-air brussels sprouts throwing incident during a cooking segment, which resulted in the exit of the show's executive producer Rob McKnight.

According to news.com.au, tensions reached fever pitch back in February, with sources claiming the two were no longer talking off camera, a claim that Network Ten has dismissed as "nonsense."

In the wake of her departure after today's Anzac Day programme, Ten Chief Content Officer Beverley McGarvey said, "We are very sad to see Ita leave Studio 10. She has been with the show since day one and has been a wonderful member of the team."

She continued, "Ita is a true legend of the Australian media and a great colleague. Everyone at Studio 10 and Network Ten, as well as her many fans, will miss her but we fully understand and support her decision to step away from the show. She is, of course, welcome to come home to Studio 10 at any time."

As a veteran of Australian media in both publishing and television, she was one of the original cast members of the morning show.

In August last year, Buttrose was awarded with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2017 NSW Kennedy Awards for Excellence in Journalism adding to her healthy awards collection: Australian of the Year and Order of Australia.

It is understood that Denise Scott will join Studio 10, appearing every second week alternating with Drysdale.